Two days ago I wrote about low tech ways of keeping buildings cool in hot climates. Today the other DrC sends me a link to an article about a modern way to accomplish much of the same, albeit with technology helping out.
The two approaches are related, but not identical. The Australian example accomplishes livability year round, dealing with both heat and cold, and expends significant energy doing so via hydronic heatings and movable louvres. The buildings I wrote about in the Middle East and Vietnam accomplish only cooling but do so passively, just by existing and require no energy inputs in the process.
Historically, providing warmth has always been easier than providing cooling. We do it by burning something combustible, ranging from natural gas to dried camel dung. Cooling is harder, especially if no energy is expended in the effort.
